Lib Dem MP Visits Top Barn Farm & Business Centre

9.00.00am GMT Fri 10th Nov 2006

Lorely Burt MP and Richard Burt watch John Knight (left) and Richard Skerm pressing apples at the Top Barn Farm Training Centre.

Solihull MP Lorely Burt joined her husband, West Worcestershire parliamentary candidate Richard Burt, on a visit to Top Barn Farm & Business Centre at Holt Heath yesterday [9 November].

Richard and Lorely (who is also the Liberal Democrat Small Business spokesperson) were shown around the farm and Business Centre by owners David and Di Harper. They also met the Harper's three sons who all run their own businesses on site.

Lorely said: "Small business provides the backbone for employment in Worcestershire. I was very impressed to see the level of imagination that has gone into the development of such a wide range of business activities at Top Barn Farm, both as a working farm and as a centre for local employment."

"Top Barn Farm is an outstanding example of how diversification can bring benefits not only to the farm itself, but also to the wider community."

Her husband Richard said: "I was delighted to be able to invite Lorely to visit Top Barn Farm, which is a real local success story. We were also able to meet students at top Barn Training Centre and watched them pressing apples to make their own apple juice. The Training Centre is run as a non-profit making charity for adults with special needs and provides a fantastic opportunity for those who attend to learn and work together."